AFC Asian Cup
The Red Warriors, making their eighth competition appearance and with some eventful performances behind them, will be seeking to surpass their best-ever finish of fourth place in 2004.
Factfile
FIFA Ranking: 92
Previous appearances: 7
First appearance: 1988
Best finish: Fourth (2004)
2023 result: Round of 16
How they qualified: Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 Group H runners-up
Group B fixtures – Jan 8: v DPR Korea; Jan 13: v Jordan; Jan 17: v Uzbekistan
Fun fact: Bahrain’s defeat in the 2004 semi-finals and playoff matches both came in the last 10 minutes, with Japan scoring in the 90th minute in a 4-3 win and IR Iran netting twice from the 80th minute onwards in the third/fourth-placing match which ended 4-2.
FIFA Ranking: 92
Previous appearances: 7
First appearance: 1988
Best finish: Fourth (2004)
2023 result: Round of 16
How they qualified: Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 Group H runners-up
Group B fixtures – Jan 8: v DPR Korea; Jan 13: v Jordan; Jan 17: v Uzbekistan
Fun fact: Bahrain’s defeat in the 2004 semi-finals and playoff matches both came in the last 10 minutes, with Japan scoring in the 90th minute in a 4-3 win and IR Iran netting twice from the 80th minute onwards in the third/fourth-placing match which ended 4-2.
The West Asian side made their AFC Asian Cup™ debut at Qatar 1988 but without a single win in their four fixtures, failed to progress past the group stage. Their moment to shine, however, would come 16 years down the road in their second showing.
At China 2004, Bahrain finished the group stage undefeated and then beat Uzbekistan 4-3 on penalties in the quarter-finals following a 2–2 stalemate. After a narrow 4-3 semi-final defeat in extra time to defending champions Japan, they lost 4-2 to the Islamic Republic of Iran in the playoff match in what remains their finest performance in the competition.
At China 2004, Bahrain finished the group stage undefeated and then beat Uzbekistan 4-3 on penalties in the quarter-finals following a 2–2 stalemate. After a narrow 4-3 semi-final defeat in extra time to defending champions Japan, they lost 4-2 to the Islamic Republic of Iran in the playoff match in what remains their finest performance in the competition.
Bahrain continued to qualify for the subsequent editions, but as in their debut, failed to progress past the group stage in 2007, 2011 and 2015. The 2007 tournament saw Bahrain stun Korea Republic 2–1, leaving the East Asians on the verge of elimination but eventually qualifying for the quarter-finals.
Their qualification in 2011 resulted in only one group stage win, against India, and while they bowed out again at the same stage in 2015, they made an impact by defeating 2011 quarter-finalists Qatar 2-1.
Bahrain returned to the Round of 16 at UAE 2019 but made their exit after a 2-1 defeat to Korea Republic in extra time. They repeated the feat at Qatar 2023, topping their group before closing with a 3-1 loss to Japan in the Round of 16.
Their qualification in 2011 resulted in only one group stage win, against India, and while they bowed out again at the same stage in 2015, they made an impact by defeating 2011 quarter-finalists Qatar 2-1.
Bahrain returned to the Round of 16 at UAE 2019 but made their exit after a 2-1 defeat to Korea Republic in extra time. They repeated the feat at Qatar 2023, topping their group before closing with a 3-1 loss to Japan in the Round of 16.
The Red Warriors will bank on influential midfielder Mohamed Marhoon to lead their offence in Saudi Arabia. The 28-year-old, who featured in the last two editions, has been an influential figure in recent times.
With new head coach Felix Sanchez on board since October and with the Spaniard’s vast experience, Bahrain will be determined to ramp-up their recent progress and leave a lasting impression at Asia’s premier national team competition.
With new head coach Felix Sanchez on board since October and with the Spaniard’s vast experience, Bahrain will be determined to ramp-up their recent progress and leave a lasting impression at Asia’s premier national team competition.
